Folarin Kehinde

Another controversy is brewing in the presidency as a letter addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, by the Chairman of the Special Investigative Committee, Jim Obazee, has surfaced.

In the letter dated December 22, 2023, Obazee requested over N2 billion for surveillance, vetting, security, addressing black spots, monitoring hotels, and acquiring vehicles.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Obazee, a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, in July 2023 as the special investigator to investigate the CBN and related entities.

Obazee, who was fired by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, investigated the CBN under the tenure of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

In his appointment letter dated July 28, 2023, President Tinubu said Obazee would also work on a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.

Part of his job schedule is to strengthen key Government Business Entities (GBEs), block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.

Meanwhile, Obazee’s letter to Cardoso reads in part: “Please refer to our meeting with Mr President (with the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice in attendance) on December 20 2023, wherein Mr President directed that I forward my invoice, so far, to you on the ongoing investigation that I am leading.”

Obazee asked for N750,000,000 for “information sourcing, facts finding, synthesis and vetting.”

The Special Investigator asked for N800,000,000 for “surveillance, black sites, private security and prying eyes.”

For “logistics, outstation and team funding,” Obazee demanded N550,000,000.

He also demanded N35,000,000 for “consumables, etc”. The total amount of money requested by the Special Investigator was N2,135,000,000, to be paid into a Premium Trust account number – 0010080287.

Concerned CBN officials shared a copy of the letter with SaharaReporters and questioned the rationale behind the request when the apex bank had already provided for such activities.

One official said, “The duplication of efforts raises concerns about potential redundancy and misallocation of resources.”

“Moreover, there is uncertainty regarding Jim Obazee’s authority to conduct surveillance and investigations, particularly if he needs the credentials of a spy or professional investigator.

“The lack of clarity on the approval process for these tasks and fund allocation is already causing confusion, raising questions about who authorized these activities and why.”

Paradigm Initiative (PI) has demanded immediate action from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to respond to severe privacy breach involving unauthorised access to citizens’ data via XpressVerify.com.

Paradigm initiative in a statement made available to Leading Reporters on Wednesday stated that the breach violates both the National Data Protection Act (NDPA) and citizens’ constitutional right to privacy, is a flagrant disregard for the law and a betrayal of public trust.

Paradigm Initiative emphasizes the urgency of NIMC and Nigerian data protection commission’s (NDPC’s) intervention to address this egregious violation of citizens’ privacy rights adding that NDPC must swiftly investigate this matter, holding accountable all parties involved in compromising the security of the National Identity Database.

“Every Nigerian has the right to trust that their personal information is secure and protected. We further demand NIMC outlines steps to rectify this breach and prevent future occurrences.”

They thereby urge NDPC to act decisively in upholding the principles of data protection and safeguarding citizens’ privacy rights as enshrined in the NDPA and the constitution.

Press Release: Paradigm Initiative Demands Urgent Response from NIMC Regarding Privacy Breach

Paradigm Initiative demands immediate action from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in response to a severe privacy breach involving unauthorised access to citizens’ data via XpressVerify.com.

The breach violates both the National Data Protection Act (NDPA) and citizens’ constitutional right to privacy, is a flagrant disregard for the law and a betrayal of public trust.

Paradigm Initiative emphasizes the urgency of NIMC and Nigerian data protection commission’s (NDPC’s) intervention to address this egregious violation of citizens’ privacy rights. The NDPC must swiftly investigate this matter, holding accountable all parties involved in compromising the security of the National Identity Database.

Every Nigerian has the right to trust that their personal information is secure and protected. We further demand NIMC outlines steps to rectify this breach and prevent future occurrences.

We urge NDPC to act decisively in upholding the principles of data protection and safeguarding citizens’ privacy rights as enshrined in the NDPA and the constitution.

All these demands are outlined in the freedom of information request sent by Paradigm Initiative and we remain committed to collaborating with all involved agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure the privacy rights of all are protected.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday stormed the secretariat of the Labour Party to protest the party’s national convention planned for end of this month.
The Congress also demanded sack of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

The NLC leadership accused Abure of planning to hold a “secret” convention without the inputs of major stakeholders.

Thr planned convention has pitched Abure against the NLC and the House of Representatives caucus.

The workers accused Abure of planning to destroy the Labour Party.

The protesting workers have been refused entry into the party Secretariat by the Nigeria Police Force.

Details Shortly…

President Bola Tinubu’s government has commenced the distribution of grains to states in order to cushion the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal and other economic policies.

The minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday while appearing before lawmakers at the National Assembly.

The minister was invited by the lawmakers, led by Senator Saliu Mustapha to brief Nigerians on Federal Government’s plan to curb rising food costs and plans to make it available to the poor and vulnerable in the country.

The minister told the lawmakers that the Federal Government had kicked-off the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to some focal points in state capitals across the country.

He said: “We have received directive and approval from Mr. President to distribute for immediate impact 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains free of charge to the Nigerian population.

“This was received in mid-February, as we are speaking we have a record of the distribution being carried out, but I will want to plead with the Honorable House members and Distinguished senators that some of the movements can’t be made public but a lot of states have started receiving their grains.

“We are distributing to state capitals in the first instance as you all are aware the risk involved in the vandalism of foodstuff; so, we are working with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other national security agencies.

“Furthermore, 58,500 metric tons of milled rice from mega rice millers will also be released into the market for stabilisation,” he said.

The minister said that the action of the government became important in order to cushion the hardship on Nigerians which he said, will soon become a thing of the past.

He told the lawmakers that his ministry was working with the ONSA and other national security outfits to address issues on vandalism of food warehouses.

Senator Mustapha told reporters after the session that he was satisfied with the steps being taken by the Federal Government to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

“From our interactive session, we are fully in the picture of what is happening. We are convinced that the steps being taken by the Federal Government is in the right direction,” the senator said.

“All we did again is to further emphasise the need for certain things to be done on time. I think from this collaborative approach by the grace of God, Nigerians will have a better feel of the government policy on food security.”

Abia State House of Assembly has passed a bill to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.

It is entitled, “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.”

It was sponsored by Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

The Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its third reading during Tuesday’s plenary.

Emeruwa, while congratulating members, said the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources toward development.

He said the bill once assented to by the governor, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”

With the bill, former governors and their deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits after their tenures have expired.

There had been a lot of controversies over the years concerning the outrageous life pension and other enviable benefits being paid to the governors and their deputies.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 19, passed the N1.28 trillion budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration presented to the National Assembly by the president last week.

Out of the total amount approved by the House, N l140.915 billion is for Personnel Costs; anf N373.027,373 billion is for Overhead Costs, while the balance of (N768.328 billion is for Capital Projects.

The passage of the budget followed a report submitted to the House by the Chairman of three House Committee on FTC, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, following a budget defence by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking at the budget defence session, Betara asked the Minister to prioritize transparency, accountability, and adherence to budgetary guidelines in project execution in the territory.

The lawmaker, who underscored the committee’s commitment to ensuring efficient fund utilization for tangible benefits amid FCT’s developmental challenges, stressed the need for robust monitoring mechanisms to track project progress and hold authorities accountable.

In passing the budget, the House said the Minister of FCT and the Director of Treasury shall furnish the National Assembly, on a quarterly basis, the status of the records of the Federal Capital Territory Statutory Accounts.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says President Bola Tinubu will struggle to get two per cent votes in the 2027 presidential election in the capital if he fails to stop the minister, Nyesom Wike from killing the party.

The party leaders stated this at a press conference in Abuja, lamenting the disregard of APC members in recent appointments made by Wike.

They also said the party may lose the next Area Councils election if the situation remains unchanged, claiming that the minister is killing the political structure of the APC in FCT due to his lack of regard for the party and its leadership.

The APC chieftains, led by convener, Comrade Abdulwahab Ekekhide, and co-convener, David Omobolaji Obaje, said the minister, since assuming office, has refused to sit with the leadership of the party, even though the party has written him a series of letters for him to grant them audience, but all to no avail.

LEADING REPORTERS recalls that Wike, a PDP member, was appointed FCT minister by President Tinubu, the leader of the APC.

Ekekhide, however, said the leadership and entire members of the APC family in the FCT, in unison, reject “in very strong terms the continuous lopsided appointments, abandonment and total disregard for the APC in FCT by the minister.”

“We call on Mr. President, who is the Governor-General to call the Minister to order, so that he can retrace his steps and start empowering the party or else, the party will struggle to get 2% for the President in the 2027 Presidential election and may lose the next Area Councils election if the situation remains this way.

“As we all know, the President is the Governor-General of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), but delegates his powers to a Minister, and today Barr. Nyesom Wike is standing in for the President as Hon. Minister of the FCT,” he added.

The Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti on Monday appointed Dr Eno J Eze as chairman of the Abia State civil service commission.

Dr Eno, who is married to Pastor Jerry Eze, the founder of Streams of Joy International and leader of New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD). was announced chairman of the commission in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kazie Uko.

Dr. Eno Jerry, a burning and shining Light, a transformational catalyst, a quintessential speaker, a dynamic preacher, and very significantly is the female voice that roars on the widely acclaimed Global prayer platform New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations(NSPPD) alongside her husband Pastor Jerry Eze popularly known for the slogan What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist.

Pastor Eno, as she is fondly called, currently sits as the Resident Pastor of Streams of Joy Umuahia, an expression of their burgeoning ministry, Streams of Joy International.

Also working at the heart of her life’s assignment, she actively supports women to pursue their God-ordained destinies through mentoring, coaching, and leadership at The Women on Fire Network, an organisation dedicated to empowering and raising pastor’s wives, women in ministry, and women on fire for God since the inception of the Women of Fire network in 2020.

She has held several Pastors’ Wives and Women in Ministry Conferences all over Nigeria and continues to serve thousands of members all over the world as far as the United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Canada.

Pastor Eno holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Entrepreneurship Institute Australia, a Masters in International Human Resource Management from the University of Greenwich London, and is currently concluding her PhD in Human Resources Management.

With extensive years in management, she consults for multinational companies, mega-churches, and several non-profit organisations.

She is the Lead Consultant, M.D, and CEO of Jeno Management Solutions, a Human Resource Company.

Kano State Government has budgeted N6 billion to feed about four million less privileged persons in the during this Ramadan period.

Leading reporters understands that the 2024 Ramadan feeding programme will cover the 44 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner for information and home affairs, Hon Baba Dantiye, stated this while addressing journalists in Kano on Monday.

Dantiye stressed that Kano metropolis, which has eight local government areas, has 90 special centres that include mosques, remand centres, Almajiri schools, hospitals and Islamic schools and feeds an average of 18,000 people daily.

The commissioner said the budget covers cost of food items, hiring of cooking utensils, allowances for cooks and security, firewood among others for the whole Ramadan period.

“In each centre we have three women who cook and three men that provide security so that people don’t tamper with the food or cause stampede,” he said.

“In each centre there are two bags of rice to feed at least 200 people, that is 100 people per bag; there are also varieties such as beans cake and pap and other assorted food being cooked daily and is served between 6.30pm and 7.00p.m targeted at the most-needy.

“The centres are strategically selected where you have Islamic schools, densely populated areas, remand homes, hospitals, almajiri schools among others,” he added.

Ministers are in panic mode as President Bola Tinubu prepares to reshuffle his cabinet before his first anniversary in office.

May 29, 2024, will mark the first year of President Tinubu in office as Nigeria’s leader, and there are ongoing efforts to rejig the Federal Executive Council.

President Tinubu is set to flag off a three-step approach to assessing his Ministers and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) ahead of his first year in office.

The aim is to provide a platform that will allow members of the public to make inputs about the ministers that will be retained and those that may be asked to go.

Credible sources at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, told BusinessDay on Monday that the President would launch the platform, enabling Nigerians to provide feedback on their assessment of each minister and their performance.

“This will be done at three different levels. First, you have members of the public who can through the platform, get relevant information on the President Bola Tinubu’s targets for each Ministry and through that give feedback on the performance of each Minister based on the targets provided,” the source said.

“The next stage will be evaluation carried out by the Policy Coordination office, and lastly, a group of Consultants will also give their assessments on the Ministers performance.

“So, these will be the basis for determining which Minister stays and those that will leave the cabinet because of poor performance,” the source added.

Bala-Usman had indicated that President Tinubu “will drop ministers who do not deliver on their mandates.

She had stated this at the opening of a technical retreat organised for delivery desk officers of federal ministries to train them on implementation of presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

“You must understand that as ministerial delivery desk officers, you are the engine room that will provide that feedback, constantly track ministerial progress, report challenges, and bottle to the CDCU,” she stated.